Cape Cross

This part of the coast is known as the National West Coast Recreation Area, in which environmental controls have been lifted in order to provide locals with somewhere to build holiday cottages, go fishing and have fun with their off-road vehicles. There is a considerable amount of development, notably around the remarkably unattractive settlement of Henties Bay. The village even contains a sandy golf course.

The main point of interest is the seal colony at Cape Cross, where visitors can stroll up to a wall and look down over a seriously stinky and noisy mass of life. The seals themselves are interesting to observe, but your visit will essentially be limited to how long you can hold your breath. There is also an interesting memorial at Cape Cross commemorating the first landing by Portuguese explorers in 1486.

This is the most soiled section of the Skeleton Coast and an area we generally try to avoid in favour of the truly wild Skeleton Coast North, the dunefields south of Walvis Bay and the diamond areas south of Luderitz.

But if you are planning a self-drive trip and are unable to access these alternative areas, then it may be worth swinging by this area, not least to visit the seals.

Cape Cross Lodge ... is the only decent accommodation in the area, a night at which will give you a better impression of this challenging coastline.